'Armor of God' bracelet leads to robbery arrest

CINCINNATI -- A bracelet with a reference to the "armor of God" led police to a suspect they believed was involved in a home invasion of married Amberley Village, Ohio, residents.

While police were investigating the home invasion of the couple -- ages 80 and 78, who were robbed and beaten -- someone noticed the image of something on the door of the couple's stolen SUV.

"They found the imprint of the bracelet on the car," said Assistant Hamilton County (Ohio) Prosecutor Gus Leon. "There is a lift. It's almost like a fingerprint.

"I've never encountered this before."

Police made a copy of the image but didn't know what it was or immediately understand its significance. They saw the backward image of "6:10" and some letters but couldn't figure it out.

Finally, with a hint from a police officer's family member, they were led to the Bible and the book of Ephesians, Chapter 6, Verses 10 and 11. The verses essentially note that God has given man the armor needed to be protected from the evils of Satan.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

Holy imprint leads cops to suspects

Late on the afternoon of July 11, the couple heard a knock on their door. At first, they didn't respond but when they saw a man getting in their SUV, the male resident opened the door. He and his wife were beaten and threatened with death by two men who also robbed them. The elderly man was taken to the bank and forced to withdraw money. His bank limited him to $200.

Then, the men stole the SUV and left.

Police said that while reaching inside the SUV to get the keys from the ignition, Darian Lawrence leaned his wrist and forearm on the vehicle.

That's when the Biblical imprint was left.

Police called Lawrence in for questioning because his name was mentioned in connection with unsolved armed robberies of pizza drivers in nearby Golf Manor, Ohio. Police suspected the pizza robberies could be connected to the Amberley Village home invasion.

It wasn't until Lawrence was being questioned that police saw a black, rubber bracelet he wore on his wrist.

"When they were interviewing Lawrence, he was wearing it and the cops saw it," Leon said.

When asked what was on the bracelet, Lawrence answered Ephesians 6:10.

Police arrested Lawrence, 19, of Golf Manor, and Raj Houston III, 20, of Lima, Ohio, who was visiting Lawrence when the robbery took place.

Lawrence and Houston each are charged with kidnapping, aggravated robbery, theft and weapons charges carrying a maximum prison sentence of 96 years.

Lawrence has pleaded not guilty. His attorney, David Washington, wouldn't comment.

The attorney for Houston, who also has pleaded not guilty, didn't return calls Thursday.

Police have other evidence they believe incriminates Lawrence and Houston.

According to court documents, when police served search warrants on Lawrence's apartment and Houston's home, they say they discovered "various keys found in Lawrence's bedroom (that) fit the cars and other property of the victims." Police also obtained "77 pages of phone records ... 22 photographs for Darian Lawrence and Raj Houston including photos of firearms."

They also found receipts for LaRosa's Pizzeria that they believe tie Lawrence to at least two robberies of pizza drivers that took place in the Golf Manor block where Lawrence lived.

When confronted with the evidence, Lawrence "confessed" to the Amberely Village incident, court documents note.